News

13 November 2009

 

Camtek closes acquisition of TEM/SEM sample prep system maker SELA

Following an agreement announced on 24 September, Camtek Ltd of Migdal Ha’Emek, Israell, which manufactures automatic optical inspection (AOI) systems for printed circuit boards, high-density interconnect substrates, and semiconductor manufacturing and packaging, has completed its acquisition of Semiconductor Engineering Laboratories Ltd (SELA), for which it will pay SELA’s shareholders future payments of up to $9.5m (contingent upon SELA’s revenues).

Founded in 1992 in Yokneam, Israel, SELA develops and manufactures automated scanning electron microscope (SEM) and transmission electron microscope (TEM) sample preparation equipment for the semiconductor and optical components industries. With 26 staff and revenues of $3.8m and $4.4m in 2008 and 2007 respectively, SELA has more than 275 systems installed worldwide.

SELA recently introduced the Xact, the first TEM/STEM sample preparation system using adaptive ion milling (AIM) technology, which is said to enhance traditional focused ion beam (FIB) technology by reducing the sample thickness to below 30nm over a large area with high precision and throughput and with superior image quality. Camtek says that these attributes are essential for meeting the growing market requirements for nano-scale material analysis, including much reduced turnaround times and enhanced productivity. The trend for continuous device shrinks and material complexity increases utilization of TEM and hence the served available market for Xact, it is reckoned.

“SELA is a significant addition to our technological assets, and we are eager to leverage Camtek's global infrastructure, sales and support teams, manufacturing and facilities, to continue to service SELA’s existing customer base, while targeting new customers,” says Camtek’s CEO Rafi Amit. “This acquisition of SELA is directly aligned with our strategy of further enhancing Camtek’s position and presence in the semiconductor market, enabling us to further expand our offering to this market,” said Amit at the time of the acquisition’s announcement.

SELA will function as a business division within Camtek, led by former CEO & president Colin Smith, who will assume the position of VP at Camtek and SELA Division manager.

See related item:

Camtek acquiring TEM/SEM sample prep system maker SELA

Search: SELA TEM SEM

Visit: www.camtek.co.il

Visit: www.sela.com